Je me sens
The English phrase "I am feeling" is translated into French as Je me sens.
This phrase is used to describe one's current emotional or physical state.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, Je me sens means "I feel myself". It uses the reflexive pronoun me to indicate that the feeling is an internal state.
Which one should you use?
While Je me sens refers to your internal state regarding emotions or health, Je sens should be used to describe sensing an external object or a smell.
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe your own emotional or physical state, the verb sentir is used reflexively as se sentir, which results in the form Je me sens.
Did you know?
- The French word sens can refer to a physical feeling but also describes the 'direction' of a street or a 'meaning' of a word.
- The word sens in Je me sens is a hybrid of Latin 'sentiō' and the Frankish word sinn, which meant 'mind' or 'direction'.
Examples in context
- Je me sens mieux aujourd'hui.I am feeling better today.This sentence shows how to use Je me sens to state that you are feeling better.Tatoeba #337339 by sysko, translation #6621312 by Eccles17
- Je me sens triste à cause de ça.I am feeling sad about it.This sentence shows how to use Je me sens to express feeling sad.Tatoeba #7181 by Bruno, translation #254122 by CK
- Je me sens fatigué.I feel tired.
- Je ressens de la tristesse.I sense sadness.
- Je suis anxieux.I am anxious.
- Je me sens super bien.I feel really good.
- Je suis content comme tout!I am overjoyed!
- J'ai l'impression d'être perdu.I feel lost.
- Je me sens très fatiguée ce soir.I am feeling very tired tonight.
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are talking about their first day of work.
- LéaAlors, Gabriel, comment ça se passe ?So, Gabriel, how is it going?
- GabrielC'est difficile, je me sens un peu perdu.It's difficult, I am feeling a bit lost.
- LéaNe t'inquiète pas, c'est normal au début.Don't worry, it's normal at the beginning.
- GabrielMerci, Léa, ça me rassure.Thanks, Léa, that reassures me.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, me, sens, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
